Folding machine for fabric blanks



A'. 'w. GAVITT.

FOLDING MACHINEHFOB FABRIC BLANKS.

' APPLICATION. FILED JULY 26. I920- 1,420,480. Patented June 20,1922.

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A. w. GAV ITTL FOLDING MACHINE FOR FABRIC BLANKS.

APPITICATION FILED JULY 26, 1920.

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mammal m W %%UIIIM A..W. GAVITT.

FOLDING MACHINE FOR FABRIC BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1920.

1,420,480. Patented June 20,1922.

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ff) v g 49 UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR w. GAVI'IT, or onIoAeO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To A. s'rnnv &oourrmjor CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

FOLDING MACHINE FOR FABRIC BLANKS. I

Application filed July 26,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. GAVITT, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Machinesfor Fabric Blanks, of which I do declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention has relation to that class of folding machinesmore particularly designed for folding the edges of fabric blanks fromwhich such articles as garter pads, collars, cuffs and the like are tobe formed, and the invention consists in the features of noveltyhereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings andparticularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention isshown as applied to afolding machine set forth in an application for Letters Patent filed inthe United States Patent Ofiice by Alexander D. Elliott January 22,1920, Sr. No. 353,323, in which machine the fabric blanks to be foldedare adapted to be acted upon by a series of groups or units of folderblades and dies or templets,the groups of folder blades being carried bya revoluble table that is moved by a step-by-step motion so as to bringthe folder blades successively beneath the dies or templets thatcooperate therewith in folding the edges ofthe blanks. In the machineset forth in said Elliott application, the fabric blanks, after theiredges had been folded and pressed, were removed from the revoluble tableby means of an arm Drovided'with pins adapted to engage the fabric blankand move the same from the machine into a suitable receptacle.

The object of my present invention is to provide a simpleand effectivemechanism whereby the fabric blanks after they have been folded can beconveniently aggregated and moved to such position that they can bereadily formed into bundles or packages.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of afolding machine, such as set forth in said Elliott application. havingmy invention applied thereto. Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly invertical section and partly in elevation, showing a portion of therevoluble table with the folder blades carried thereby, showing a porSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented June '20, 192 2.

1920. Serial No. 399,073.

tion of the vertically movable frame beneath the revoluble table andshowing the folded blank receiver above the movable table. Figure 3 is aview similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in different position.Figure 4 is anenlarged detail plan View of one of the groups of folderblades mounted upon the revoluble table. Figure 5 is an enlarged detailview, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing themanner in which the folded fabric blanks are' m'ov'ed into the foldedblank receiver. Figure 6 is a detail view in vertical section on line6-6 of Fig. 2. Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view in cross section online 77 of Fig. 1. line 88 of Fig. 9. Figure 9 is a .view in verticalsection on the line 99 of Fig. 2.

The main frame of the machine is similar in construction to that setforth in the above mentioned Elliott application, and comprises cornerposts A, the upper portions of which are connected together by theskeleton frames or cross plates A and A theframe A serving, as in saidElliott machine, to support the templets (not shown) and the presserdevices that cooperate with the units or groups of folder blades carriedby the revoluble table 14 that is fixed to the vertical shaft 15. r

In my present machine, as in said Elliott machine, there is mountedbeneath the revoluble table A that carries the groups or units of folderblades, a vertically movable table A having depending cams a that areFigure 8'is a View in section on acted upon by rollers a carried by ashift- I ing plate or bar A that is moved in the direction of the arrowFig".- 1 by a cam B upon a vertical cam shaft B. The table A is providedwith a plurality of groups of upstanding cam fingers a adapted when thetable A is raised, to shift the depending bars or arms a whereby thefolder blades a will be moved back and forth to fold the edges of thefabric blanks. As these features form no part of my present inventionand,

in front of the operator, a fabric blank will be delivered to each groupor unit of folder blades and the blanks will be successively carriedfirst beneath the die or dies that co operate with the folder blades infolding the edges of the fabric blanks, and, after the edges are folded,the blanks are advanced by the revoluble table beneath the pressermechanism shown at A in 1 of the drawings. After the fabric blanks 'havebeen thus folded and pressed, they Will. be in readiness to be removedfrom the revoltible table by my improved mechanism next to be described.I

Through the revoluble table 14 and through each of the revolublesupports a associated with each group or unit of folder blades pass therods that have fixed to their upper ends a plate 31, on which the fabricblank to be folded will be placed. These rods 30 are encircled by coiledsprings 32 the upper ends of which bear against the revolubletable 14,while their lower ends bear upon a plate or bar 33 that is fixed to thelower ends of the rods 30. The springs 32 thus serve to hold the rods 30and the plate 31 in the normally retracted position shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. Upon the top of the vertically movable table A (see Figs.1 and 2) are mounted upright bars or posts 35 adapted to contact withthe bar or plate 33 when the table A is raised.

After a. fabric blank has been folded and pressed by being moved (as inthe Elliott machine above mentioned) successively beneath the dies ortemplets and the pressing mechanism A (see Fig. 1), it will next bemoved beneath the folded blank receiver 'designated as D, the positionof the parts then being as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thefolded blank receiver D preferably comprises a cage or receptacle formedof a series of rods 40 the .upper ends of which are connected to a plate41 fixed to the top of the cross plate A above an opening formedtherein, this plate 41 having an 'and 2 of the drawings.

opening corresponding in outline to the form of the folder blanks W.Preferably the upper ends of the rods 40 are formed with vertical seatsto receive guide pins 42 that constitute an extension of the foldedblank receiver, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 The top plate A of the mainframe will be open at a point above the rods 42. The lower ends of therods 40 have fixed thereto a plate 43, this plate being preferably ofthe shape shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. To'the plate 43 beneath thelower end of each of the rods 40 is'atta'ched, as by set screws 45,a-channelshaped bracket 46 (see Fig. 8) in which is pivoted, as at 47, adog or catch 48 that normally gravitates to the position shown in Fig. 9of the drawings. Each pawl 48 is formed with a slot through whichpasses'a pin 49, the ends of this pin 49 being mounted in the side wallsof thebracket 46. V

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when a fabric blankhas had its edges folded and pressed and has been brought beneath thefolded blank receiver 1), a vertical movement is imparted to the table Athe posts 35 will contact with the plate and will lift the plunger rodsand the plate 31 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shownin Fig. 3 of the drawings, thereby lifting the folded fabric blank pastthe pivoted dogs or catches 48 until the blank is within the receiver D,as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. As the table A recedes, thedogs 48, the free ends of which have been forced backward by the upwardmovement of the fabric blank, will resume their normal posltlon and w llserve to engage the edges of the fabric blankand prevent its downwardmovement with the plate 31; it being understood that the dogs 48, whenin normal position, will permit the plate 31 to pass, In this way, thefabric I blanks, after they have been folded and pressed, will besuccessively added 'to the stack of blanks within the receptacle D andgradually the blanks will pass from between the rods 40 upwardinto thespace between the supplemental rods 42, from which they may be readilylifted by the operator from. 4

t me to time and formed into bundles.

While I have'described what I regard as the preferred embodiment ofnay-invention, i

folding the fabric blanks, of a support for the fabric blanks to befolded, means for moving said support vertically to lift the foldedfabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom to admit "the foldedfabric blanks, and dogging mechanism to hold 'said' fabric blanks withinthe receiver after they have been delivered thereto.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks. of asupport for the fabricblanks to be folded, means for,

moving said support vertically to lift the folded fabric blanks; a blankreceiver open at its bottom to admit the folded fabric blanks. andmovable catches at the bottom of said receiver for holding thefabricblanks within the receiver after they have been delivcred thereto.v V

3. In a machine of the character described,

the combination with suitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of asupport for the fabric blanks to be folded, means for moving saidsupport vertically to lift the folded fabric blanks, and pivoted dogs atthe bottom of said receiver for holding said fabric blanks within thereceiver after they have been delivered thereto.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding fabric blanks, of a support for the fabricblanks to be folded, means for moving said support vertically to liftthe folded fabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom to admitthe folded fabric blanks and open at its opposite end for the removal ofthe fabric blanks, and means for preventing the fabric blanks frompassing from the bottom of the receiver after they have been deliveredthereto.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of a support for thefabric blanks to be folded, means for moving said support vertically tolift the folded fabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom toadmit the folded fabric blanks and open at its top for discharge of thefabric blanks, said receiver comprising vertical rods, and means forpreventing the dropping of the fabric blanks from the bottom of saidreceiver after they have been delivered thereto.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of a support for thefabric blanks to be folded, means for moving said support vertically tolift the folded fabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom toadmit the folded fabric blanks and open at its top for the discharge ofsaid blanks, a series of brackets arranged beneath said receiver, and aseries of pivoted dogs or catches carried by said brackets and adaptedto prevent the dropping of said fabric blanks from said receiver.

7. In a machine of the character described the combination with suitablemeans for folding the fabric blanks, of a support for the fabric blanksto be folded, said support being arranged adjacent said means forfolding the fabric blanks, a vertically movable member arranged to lift,said support, a blank receiver open at its bottom to admit the foldedfabric blanks, and means to prevent said fabric blanks from droppingfrom said receiver after they have been delivered thereto.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of a support for thefabric blanks to be folded, spring mechanism for forcing said supportnormally downward, a movable member for moving said support verticallyto lift the folded fabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom toadmit the folded fabric blanks, and means for preventing the fabricblanks from dropping from said receiver after they have been deliveredthereto.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of a support for thefabric blanks to be folded, rods connected to and depending from saidsupport, spring mechanism for forcing said support normally downward, amovable bar for raising said support vertically to lift the foldedfabric blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom to admit the foldedfabric blanks, and'means to prevent said fabric blanks from droppingfrom said receiver after they have been delivered thereto.

10. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination withsuitable means for foldin the fabric blanks, means for lifting the foded blanks, a blank receiver open at its bottom to receive said foldedblanks, and means for holding said blanks within the receiver after theyhave been delivered thereto.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asupport for the blanks to be folded, of means for folding the blanks onsaid support, a receiver for the folded blanks disposed above saidsupport, and means for lifting said support to deposit the folded blanksin said receiver.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination withsuitable means for folding the fabric blanks, of a movable support forthe fabric blanks to be folded,

a receiver for the folded blanks, and means mounted on and movable withsaid support for lifting the folded blanks from the support into thereceiver when the support is brought into position beneath saidreceiver.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination with aplurality of movable supports for the blanks to be folded, of means forfolding the blank on each of 'said supports, a stationary receiver forthe folded blanks, means for successively moving said supports oppositesaid receiver, and means for conducting the folded blank from eachsupport to said receiver when the support is opposite said receiver.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination with aplurality of movable supports for the blanks to be folded, of means forfolding the blanks on each of said supports, a stationary receiver forthe folded blanks, means for successively moving said supports oppositesaid receiver, and means mounted on and movable with each of saidsupports for conducting the folded blank thereon to said receiver whenthe support is opposite said receiver.

ARTHUR W. GAVITT.

